PITTSBURGH — A porch roof collapse in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood injured 16 people on March 14, as hundreds gathered for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Video footage captured the moment the roof gave way, with partygoers both on top of and underneath it. Witnesses estimate 30 people had climbed onto the back roof before it collapsed onto the porch below, sending debris crashing down on those beneath, WTAE reported.
“There were a number of young adults who were on top of the roof of the porch, as well as other young adults who were on the porch itself when this porch collapsed from the weight of all of these individuals,” Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety PIO Emily Bourne said.
Emergency responders transported 16 people to local hospitals, with three in serious but stable condition. Injuries included concussions and leg and arm fractures.
Officials described the incident as a near-tragedy, emphasizing that, given the size of the gathering, it was fortunate no fatalities occurred.
